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Mission

The mission of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is to advance academic freedom and shared governance; to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education; to promote the economic security of faculty, academic professionals, graduate students, post‐doctoral fellows, and all those engaged in teaching and research in higher education; to help the higher education community organize to make our goals a reality; and to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good. Founded in 1915, the AAUP has helped to shape American higher education by developing the standards and procedures that maintain quality in education and academic freedom in this country's colleges and universities.

Our Cause

Our Value

Our Promise

• We believe higher education is a fundamental human right to which freedom of inquiry and expression are integral.

• We defend academic freedom and shared governance.

• We produce and promote the best policy documents in higher education.

• We promote the economic security of faculty, academic professionals, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and all those engaged in teaching and research.

• We bring higher education professionals together for collective action.

• To provide training and advice to our chapters, conferences, and members.

Start a Chapter

Active AAUP chapters serve the profession on more than 450 campuses by supporting principles and programs that vitally affect the quality of higher education and professional life. Find out how you can start a chapter at your college or university.

Join the AAUP

By joining the AAUP, you help shape the future of our profession. In addition, there are practical benefits such as discounts, insurance programs, and a subscription to Academe, including the annual report on faculty compensation. Click here to read more about the benefits of an AAUP membership.

Guide to Unemployment Benefits

Access to Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Contingent Faculty offers advice for individual contingent faculty members as well as a discussion of strategies for changing policies regarding access to unemployment benefits. The guidebook can be purchased for $6 in the AAUP Store.